The Barn at White Oaks

Wedding Ceremony

Reception

Ceremony

Summer

Our Wedding

Our Story

Once upon a time, in a far away land - Actually, about two and a half years ago (Late April 2021) in a Tractor Supply, Josh was promoted to Assistant Store Manager, which landed him a transfer from the Murray store to the Benton store. He had no idea what was waiting for him. Grace was about to have a fairly chaotic week, which would lead to her being, unsurprisingly, totally oblivious to Josh's existence, outside of a nice strong handshake at their first introduction. Exactly what happened next depends on which one of them you ask, but the facts are that at the end of June Grace sent a friend request on Facebook and Snapchat, and from there the pair began talking. On July 21, 2021 the pair went on their first date at the Calvert Drive-In, to which Josh brought flowers.

Almost exactly one week later, on July 27, 2021, the pair went on their second date. Josh suggested a small hike, and Grace suggested burgers and milkshakes. Conveniently, Craig's Dairy Dream is just outside of the north entrance to Land Between the Lakes, so they managed to do both.

Towards the end of the hike, the pair paused on some rocks, where Josh asked if Grace would like to officially be his girlfriend, which she happily said yes to.

The next few months were a whirlwind of getting to know each other as well as possible in a fairly short amount of time. After weathering the natural disaster that was the December 10, 2021 tornado that ripped through western Kentucky, the pair spent most days over Grace's winter break together. This, in combination with a variety of roommate issues in Grace's apartment, led to the couple officially moving in together on February 1, 2022. (Disclaimer: Do not try this at home. While moving in together six months into their relationship worked out for this couple, they do not recommend that to everyone.)

Following this move, the pair began to develop their relationship further, and discuss what the future might hold. Following Josh's brother Nick's wedding in August of 2022, the couple began discussing what wedding ideas they liked and disliked, which led to the purchase of a binder and the first of many many spreadsheets. This was also the weekend Josh chose to joke that he would propose during a Taylor Swift concert. Unbeknownst to him, Swift would announce an album less than 48 hours later, with a tour announcement coming in the following months.

This theoretical planning became significantly more real in December, when the pair went on a post-Christmas trip to Gatlinburg with Josh's family, where they took the opportunity to look at rings. This was also the moment Josh opted to ask for Grace's friend Victoria's phone number, to get another opinion on rings and proposal ideas.

Eventually, May came, and the first week of it everyone kept being incredibly suspicious. That Wednesday, four days before their Taylor Swift concert, Josh decided to cut his hair, after growing it out the entire time they had been together. That was also the day that Victoria became oddly interested in whether or not Grace was planning to paint her nails or get them done for the concert. Grace had talked herself into believing she was overthinking the situation (a very common occurrence for her) but by Friday, her suspicions were aroused once again. Friday night her other close friend Chloe was at the apartment (both women slightly tipsy, and Chloe raving about Josh's chicken noodle soup) and after Grace returned from using the bathroom, Chloe was also trying to sway Grace into getting her nails done the next day. (If I had a nickel for every time someone was interested in the state of my nails....) Ultimately, Josh and Chloe talked Grace into getting her nails done on Saturday, and the couple headed to Nashville for the concert on Sunday morning. After a trip through the County Music Hall of Fame to see the temporary Taylor Swift exhibit, the couple made their way to Nissan Stadium. It had been cloudy all day, and as soon as they got comfortable in their seats, the rain opened up and the lightning began, thus beginning the four hour storm delay.

After four hours crowded on the bottom floor of the stadium, the call was made that the openers would not perform and Taylor would take the stage at approximately 10pm. Around an hour and a half or two into the set, Taylor got to the "Speak Now" album portion on the set. This is Grace's favorite album, and while the set is only one song, it happened to be the song that came on in the car at the end of their first date. The second the song began, her stomach went into nots, and she knew what was about to happen. As Taylor reached the bridge of "Enchanted," Josh proposed, and the wonderful girls in the row behind them caught the whole thing on video (courtesy of a very well thought out card that Josh planned in advance, which he would love to tell you about in more detail).

After getting home from the concert around 5am (thank you 4 hour storm delay) Grace took a very nice nap and went on to take a final at 10am, before the pair went to tell Grace's family about the engagement, and later Grace had a candle pass to announce the engagement to ger sorority sisters.

Grace continued through finals week with a breeze, and graduated from Murray State the following Saturday. After this, the couple began truly planning the wedding, and they are so excited to share this occasion with everyone.

Photos

Hey everyone! My name is Mary and I am the groom’s little and only sister. I am a senior at Ball State University studying to be a nurse. While he is my brother, I have to say my favorite memories of us have been being able to share a love for the beach and for 4-H. Our grandparents used to winter down on Hilton Head Island, and it quickly became one of our favorite places. My brother and I always liked seeing the alligators and playing on the beach. He and our dad would build cool sand sculptures or even a sand couch to sit on. We were both also ten year 4-Hers along with members of the local FFA chapter. My brother and I are both big into agriculture and being outdoors. One time on vacation in the mountains we went horse back riding on a trail, which was something we both enjoyed even though I got the horse that wanted nothing more than to take me through the bushes instead of staying on the path. I am beyond excited to be apart of his special day!

Mary Jachim

Hey, everyone! My name is Chloe, and I am Grace’s Matron of Honor. I am so excited for Grace and Josh’s big day! Grace and I met on Kappa Delta Bid Day 2019. Instantly, Grace and I just clicked. Since then, we have shared countless coffee dates, baked cookies in the Kappa Delta house, put on WAY too many fake nails, cried together, laughed together, and laughed until we cried together. Grace is the best friend anyone could ask for. She’s strong, witty, independent, the list goes on. Grace stood next to me while I married the man of my dreams, and I can’t wait to do the same. I love you, Grace, and I am so happy for you and Josh!

Chloe Alford

Hello, I'm Gunner Boatright and I have known Grace my entire life. We've spent a lot of hours together and she's been around for all of the happenings in my life, and I for hers. She's a fantastic sister and, even though we have our differences, I still love her and want to see her prosper in the future! Josh is a great partner for her, and I can’t wait to see how their relationship develops. 

Gunner Boatright

Hi everyone! My name is Sydney, and I like to think of myself as the little sister Grace always wished she had, but we both know we would have been a handful so God made her one of my best friends. I can’t remember a time Grace wasn’t in my life, probably because she was there when I was born. There are so many ways to describe Grace, but some of my favorites are creative, passionate, and loving.  I have got to grow up looking up to Grace and watching her grow into an amazing person. We have been through so many chapters in life together, whether it was making mud pies in the backyard, jamming out to One Direction and 5SOS, or long car rides on the way to Montana, Grace has always been there. I can’t believe the next chapter will be watching her go on this journey into marriage. Grace, I can’t wait to see what this next chapter in you and Josh’s life holds, but I know it will be truly amazing! I wish you both the best and love you guys!

Sydney Riley

Yo! I’m Nick Jachim, and I am Josh’s younger brother, but definitely the most favorite in the family. As you could guess, I have known Josh for literally my entire life. Can’t say everyday was great, but wouldn’t want to trade him for any other. Josh and I are two very different people, he would rather go play in the mud while I go play some video games, but we were able to agree on how awesome a 4-wheeler was to ride around on. I haven’t known Grace nearly as long, but the way she interacts with our whole family, I couldn’t picture a better partner for my brother. Super proud of both of them and can’t wait to see where their journey will take them.

Nick Jachim

Hey my name is Taylor and I’m one of the adopted younger sisters Grace never had lol. How do I describe Grace? Crazy, lovable, reliable, super creative, and definitely full of energy. We have known each other since birth, pretty much. We are what you call “lifelong best friends” where basically, we are stuck with each other no matter what. Through every weird phase, traumatic event, bad decision, and relationship, we have endured it all. I am so extremely proud of her for everything she has accomplished in life so far. She has already made such a difference in this world and in everyone’s life that she meets. I can’t wait to see how She and Josh grow in their relationship and I'm so honored to be one of the bridesmaids in this enchanted wedding.

Taylor Thomasson

Hello everyone, my name is Hunter Bailey. I am a student at the University of Northwestern Ohio, studying high performance motorsports. I have had the pleasure of knowing Josh for a little over four years, when I started dating Mary. He has been one of the funniest and most kind hearted people I have met. One of my favorite memories would be when we went to Tennessee after Christmas in 2022. After getting snowed in, we all had a blast playing Cards Against Humanity, and just getting to hang out with each other. Josh and I would frequently go for walks up the icy roads to inspect the conditions and there were many times that I almost fell and slid down the hill. Josh has been a great person to get to know over the last few years, since we both share a passion for agriculture and were in FFA. I cannot say how happy I am that he has found Grace to spend the rest of his life with. Good luck in your guys’ future and have a long, successful life!

Hunter Bailey

Brianna, also known as Bri. Lover of hockey, spending money, and being wholeheartedly obsessed with my dog, Ruby.

I met the bride through our sorority during Big/Little Reveal, and ultimately took her in as an “honorary little” a short period later. Over the years, our friendship developed into family dinners, book club meetings, and me eventually becoming the “favorite Boatright" sister in Gunner’s eyes. 

Knowing Grace has been the experience of a lifetime and she never ceases to bring joy and laughter into my life. I’ve known Grace as a young, full of life college student to now a grown adult with a big girl job. I cannot wait to be by Grace’s side as she steps into this new, exciting journey in life.

Brianna Martin

My name is Andy Meredith, and I met Josh in November of 2019 when I started working at Tractor Supply. Some of my favorite memories with Josh are hanging out after work carving pumpkins and taking our dogs to the dog park. One of the things I noticed about Josh the second I met him was how much he cares and how much he likes to help people. When I started working at Tractor Supply, he was the one I could go to for anything. Didn’t know an answer to a customer’s question, go find Josh, needed to know where something went, go to Josh, need to swap hours with someone,  Josh was the only one willing to swap hours. And it would never matter what was going on, he was happy to help and wanted to help and that is why I was honored to be asked to stand with him and to call him a friend.

Andy Merideth

Hi everyone! I’m Victoria and I am a close friend of the bride. We have known each other for about 3 years. We bonded over our shared love (and some would say obsession) of all things Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and One Direction. My favorite memories with Grace are our trips to New York and Louisville, to see Harry Styles and Conan Gray. I love both Grace and Josh so much and I am thrilled to be a part of their special day!

Victoria Naas

Wedding Party

Q + A

Double Queen Suites and a handful of Single King Suites, all include a sofa bed. The hotel offers breakfast and laundry onsite.

Grace & Josh

Grace & Josh

Q + A

Do I have a plus one/can I bring my kids?

What is the dress code?

Will there be a bar?

When should I arrive?

Is it too late to RSVP?